October of every year is Scouting month in the Philippines. The 10th month of the year is also National Children's Month. It is the month to recognize the vital role of the youth in nation building. Many activities and celebrations are held to promote their welfare and the protection of their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and well being.

With that in mind, the Manila Council of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines conducted the awarding ceremony of the 2013 search for Ten Outstanding Scouts of Manila (TOSM) last October 24 at the social hall of the Nuestra Senora del Pilar, Sta. Cruz Church. The search aimed to recognize scouts in grade school and high school who best epitomize sterling qualities of leadership in school and community. More than thirty candidates were interviewed by a panel of judges last July 19 at the Augusto Syjuco Scouting Center and their submitted documents were also reviewed.

Leading the roster of winners in the grade school level was CKSC’s Michael Benjamin C. Morco. Joining him were Kenneth Angelo Bagay (San Sebastian College-Recoletos), John Gale Viray (Juan Luna Elementary School), Emmanuel Luis Bo (Republic Institute), and Shaine Kian Lomerio (Bacood Elementary School).

Three of five high school winners were from Chiang Kai Shek College. The active trio of Hanns Christian J. Chua, Renzo Roel P. Tan, and Brandon Willis W. Sing were declared winners, along with Rebekah Mambiar (Brighton Venturers) and Trisha Mhae Agapay (Ramon Magsaysay High School).

The awards were presented to the winners by Manila Council BSP Chairman Emeritus and former Ambassador Harry C. Angping and his wife, Congresswoman Naida Angping.

Since 2003, Chiang Kai Shek College had a total of 43 winners in this annual search.

During that same occasion, Andrew Brandon L. Ong was also awarded with a gold medal and a plaque of recognition as Champion in the Manila Council Scout Heroes Quiz Bee held last July 20. The competition was conducted in commemoration of the 50th death anniversary of 24 Philippine boy scouts who were on their way to Marathon, Greece in August, 1963 for the 11th World Scout Jamboree. Their plane crashed over the Arabian Sea.

The Chief Girl Scout Medal Presentation Ceremony was simultaneously held that same day at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City. The Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme is a continuing incentive for senior and cadet girl scouts to aspire at they become actively involved in community and nation building.

A total of 685 medalists were recognized in the program, with only one single girl scout from Manila as awardee. That sole recipient from Manila was Nathalie Dan J. Castro, proudly a student of Chiang Kai Shek College.  She was recognized for her year-round cultural heritage project dubbed “Mahalin ang Sariling Atin, Igalang at Panatilihin ang Kulturang Pilipino”.

As the 8th girl scout from CKSC to have earned this prestigious award, Nathalie received her medal and certificate from no less than the National President of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Dr. Salud A. Bagalso. Also on hand to witness the conferment of the awards were her parents and popular host of the television documentary show I-Witness, Ms. Kara David, herself a former girl scout.

CKSC Scouts, our snappy salute to your achievements!